Improvement in clover-harvesters



UNIT-En STATES PATENT OFFICE..

S. L. STOOKSTILL W. H. H. SOARFF, OF MEDWAY, OHIO.

l`4IMPRVEM ENT IN CLovER-HARVESTERS.

which will enable those skilled in the-artto' make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,

This invention relates to a new and improved machine for gathering or harvesting the heads of clover, cutting the heads from the standing stalks; and the invention consists of a suitable bed suspended from an axle, and provided with a cutting and raking at tachment, all arranged to operate in the manner substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure l is a side sectional view of my invention, taken in the line oo so, Fig. 2; Fig. 2, a plan or top view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents an axle, having a wheel, B, at each end, and C is a bed suspended from the axle. The bed may be described as a rectangular box, composed of a bottom, a, a rear side or back, b, and the sides o o, but having no front side. The bed is suspended from the axle A by means of two loops, d d, which fit in grooves c c in the axle., To the front end V of the bottom a there'is attached a series of teeth, D, the front ends of which are pointed, spaces being allowed between the teeth, and the whole forming a comb, which, as the machine is drawn along, passes through the upper part of the clover, just below the heads of the same, the stalks passing into the spacesbetween the teeth. To the rear of the bed C, at the outer side of the same, there is fitted, in suitable bearings f, a horizontal shaft, E, having an arm, g, at one end, which is connected by a rod, h, with one of the wheels B of the axle A, and at some distance from its hub. By this arrangement a rocking motion is given thel shaft E as the machine is drawn along.

F represents a bar, the ends ofV which are iitted and work in horizontal slots t' in the sides c c of the bed G, and is connected by rods j j with arms k k, on the shaft E, by which a forward and backward movement is given the bar F as the machine is draw-n along.

G represents a bar, which is connected by rods with the bar F, the two bars F G beingparallel with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. The bar G, it will be seen, in consequence of bein g connected with the bar F, has the same movement as the latter (forward and backward) in the bed, and in 'addition to this movement, it has arising and falling one, the latter movement being produced by having the ends of bar G rest and pass up inclined bars H H, attached to the inner surfaces of the sides c c, the bars H being pivoted, at their elevated front ends, to the sides o o. To the under side of the bar G there are fitted two knives, I I, which are allowed to slide freely in a longitudinal direction. The cutting-edges of these knives are at the inner side of the bar G, and each cutter has a pendant, m, attached, which, when the bar G is drawn inward and rests upon the teeth D, works in zigzag grooves n fn, made in two of the teeth D. (See Fig. 2.) By this means a reciprocating movement is given the knives IWhile being drawn inward, and the heads of the clover are severed from the stalks on the topi of the comb or teeth D, the bar G at the same time drawing the cut heads inward to the interior of the bed C. As the bar Gis moved forward its ends pass up the inclined bars H, which causes the bar and knives I to be elevated above the comb, so as not to interfere with the clover-heads above the same, and when the bar G reaches the outer ends of the inclined bars H, it drops down in front of the same, and is drawn back, with its ends underneath said bar H.

The machine is drawn along by a horse harnessed between thills J J, the rear ends of which are attached to the axle A, the drivers seat K being also attached to the axle. On the thills J J there is placed a shaft, L, on which a segment, M, is keyed, having a chain, N, passing around it, which is attached to an arm, O, the rear end of the latter being pivoted in a hand-lever, P, the lower end of which is connected by a joint, o, with the axle A. The ends of the shaft L are connected by chains or cords p p with the front part of the bed O. The arm O has a pawl, Q, pivoted to it, the

upper end of which engages With any offaj series-of notches, r, in the hand-lever P, the" adjustment of said pawl in a higher or lower notch, i', causing the teeth to be elevated at a greater or less distance from the surface of the ground, as may be required.

We claim as new and desire 'to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The suspended bed C, in combination with the thills J J, attached to the aXleA,

andthe shaft L, placed on the thills, with the segment M on said shaft, the arm O, handlever l?, and paWl Q, allarranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The comb-teeth D, attached to the front y end of the bottom-' of the bed, in combination Witl'ilthe reciprocating bar G, operated substantially as shown and described, and provided with knives I I, which are provided with pendent pins m, to Work in zigzag slots n in one or more of the teeth D of the comb,

. to give said knives a reciprocating motion, as

set forth.

The above specification of our invention signed by usl this 2d day of November, 1867.

S. L. STOGKSTILL.

W. H. H. SCARFF.

Witnesses:

S. E. BENNETT, J'. B. MAssEY. 

